National Civic Council (NCC)
Encyclopedia
The National Civic Council (or NCC) is a grassroots Australian political movement, although sometimes referred to as a think tank
.
The NCC develops and promotes policy based on its ‘five primacies’ of the integrity of human life, support for the family unit, decentralism, patriotism (including economic), and Judeo-Christian values. It is usually considered socially conservative
, whilst in economics it is critical of both socialist and economic-rationalist trends.
, which sought to combat Communist Party
infiltration and influence within the trade unions). The Movement, and later the NCC, had links with the historical Democratic Labor Party
.
’. It also publishes a journal of religious opinion called ‘AD2000’. Various states maintain their own smaller publications, such as ‘Action’, ‘Comment’ and ‘FACTS’.
The Australian Family Association
, an affiliate of the NCC, maintains a high profile on a range of social issues.
NCC National President, succeeding B.A. Santamaria, is Peter Westmore. National Vice-President is Pat Byrne and there are also a number of State Presidents who coordinate local groups in each state.
Think tank
A think tank is an organization that conducts research and engages in advocacy in areas such as social policy, political strategy, economics, military, and technology issues. Most think tanks are non-profit organizations, which some countries such as the United States and Canada provide with tax...
.
The NCC develops and promotes policy based on its ‘five primacies’ of the integrity of human life, support for the family unit, decentralism, patriotism (including economic), and Judeo-Christian values. It is usually considered socially conservative
Social conservatism
Social Conservatism is primarily a political, and usually morally influenced, ideology that focuses on the preservation of what are seen as traditional values. Social conservatism is a form of authoritarianism often associated with the position that the federal government should have a greater role...
, whilst in economics it is critical of both socialist and economic-rationalist trends.
History
The NCC evolved in 1957 from the Catholic Social Studies Movement (also known simply as ‘The Movement’) which was founded in the early 1940s by prominent Catholic layman B.A. Santamaria. The Movement worked closely with the Industrial GroupsIndustrial Groups
The Industrial Groups were groups formed by the Australian Labor Party in the late 1940s, to combat Communist Party influence in the trade unions....
, which sought to combat Communist Party
Communist party
A political party described as a Communist party includes those that advocate the application of the social principles of communism through a communist form of government...
infiltration and influence within the trade unions). The Movement, and later the NCC, had links with the historical Democratic Labor Party
Democratic Labor Party (historical)
The Democratic Labor Party was an Australian political party that existed from 1955 until 1978.-History:The DLP was formed as a result of a split in the Australian Labor Party that began in 1954. The split was between the party's national leadership, under the then party leader Dr H.V...
.
Publications and influence
Public debate continues to be generated through the NCC’s national magazine ‘News WeeklyNews Weekly
News Weekly is an Australian current affairs magazine, published by the National Civic Council. It was founded by B. A. Santamaria in 1941 under the name Freedom. News Weekly provides analysis of current cultural, social, political and economic trends in the Australia. It has a focus on ethics.The...
’. It also publishes a journal of religious opinion called ‘AD2000’. Various states maintain their own smaller publications, such as ‘Action’, ‘Comment’ and ‘FACTS’.
The Australian Family Association
Australian Family Association
The Australian Family Association is a conservative political organisation with the aim of supporting and strengthening traditional family values. It was founded in 1980 by the National Civic Council's then president, B. A...
, an affiliate of the NCC, maintains a high profile on a range of social issues.
Organisation
The NCC has offices in Melbourne (also its National Office), Sydney, Brisbane, Townsville, Adelaide and Perth.NCC National President, succeeding B.A. Santamaria, is Peter Westmore. National Vice-President is Pat Byrne and there are also a number of State Presidents who coordinate local groups in each state.
See also
- Political catholicismPolitical CatholicismPolitical catholicism is a political and cultural conception which promotes the ideas and social teaching of the Catholic Church in public life...
- Christian democracyChristian DemocracyChristian democracy is a political ideology that seeks to apply Christian principles to public policy. It emerged in nineteenth-century Europe under the influence of conservatism and Catholic social teaching...
- Catholic social teachingCatholic social teachingCatholic social teaching is a body of doctrine developed by the Catholic Church on matters of poverty and wealth, economics, social organization and the role of the state...
- DistributismDistributismDistributism is a third-way economic philosophy formulated by such Catholic thinkers as G. K...